OFW News

Monday, March 06, 2006

Sto. Tomas: OFWs need to give 6-month notice to RP employers

Mar 03, 2006
Updated 10:46am (Mla time)
Veronica Uy
INQ7.net

PROSPECTIVE overseas Filipino workers, particularly pilots, nurses, and teachers, need to give their local employers here six months notice, instead of the presently prescribed one month before they can leave for jobs abroad, Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said. The new requirement is in response to the demand of local aviation and medical institutions for a five-year deployment ban on pilots and nurses, who they say has resulted in brain drain, Sto. Tomas said. Sto. Tomas told the 2006 National Manpower Summit at the Manila Hotel Thursday that the proposed ban was "constitutionally problematic."

"That would be involuntary servitude. Instead we have okayed the principle of having [departing OFWs] give their [Philippine-based] employers six months notice before they leave," she said. She said she instructed Administrator Rosalinda Baldoz of the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration to come up with a formula that would determine which sectors would fall under the new requirement.

“We do not want to jeopardize the local industries whose manpower requirements are in short supply. The formula would determine which skills are in short supply,” the labor chief said. Baldoz explained that the formula would distinguish between the many levels and specializations in these industries.

For instance, the aviation industry differentiates between private pilots and commercial pilots who only get their licenses after four more years of training and flying hours, Baldoz said. “We cannot say that there’s a short supply of nurses because our schools are producing a lot of them. But certain nurses, those who specialize in ICU [intensive care unit] and operating room, will impact greatly if they are taken away,” she said.

When teachers with 15 years experience leave in droves, this is perceived to be damaging, Baldoz said. The POEA chief said she had presented the working formula to the POEA board and was instructed to test it on the aviation, nursing, and teaching sectors. She said these were the sectors presumed to be in critical supply locally. Baldoz said factors to be considered would be the inventory of qualified employees, prospective entrants to the industry, and the passing rate for license examinations.

She said the numbers would still have to be gathered from concerned agencies like the Professional Regulatory Commission and the Air Transportation Office. “We have to get the official data from licensing authorities. We cannot extrapolate data,” she said, adding that the results of the study -- and the corresponding recommendations -- will be out within the month.

PLDT eyes 40% of Pinoys in Singapore

Business Mirror
Feb 16, 2006

PLDT eyes 40% of Pinoys in Singapore

FOUR out of 10 Filipinos working in Singapore are expected to sign up with the Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT) Group's mobile phone services using the facilities of a Singaporean mobile services operator, a top PDLT official said Tuesday.

There is an estimated 130,000 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Singapore . PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno said in an interview that the company expects to tap a significant market share of the city's cellular subscribers in its first two years of operations.

"We are looking at 30 percent to 40 percent of the Filipino community that will subscribe to the service in the first two years," said Nazareno.

PLDT has recently partnered with Mobile One, one of Singapore 's innovative mobile and international direct dial (IDD) service providers. Next month, PLDT Singapore, a unit of the phone giant, will offer mobile- phone services in the city through a tieup with M1.

PLDT Singapore will use the network and operational infrastructure of M1 to also offer value-added services such as Filipino-centric content and m-commerce services meeting the needs of the Filipino community in the city.

PLDT Global president and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio said it and Smart Communications Inc. will bring their respective strengths in addressing the needs of the Filipino community in Singapore .

PLDT Global is the parent company of PLDT Singapore.

"We are confident that our mobile services in Singapore , with the value of the PLDT and Smart brands and the uniquely Filipino features, will be a perfect fit for our OFWs," said Panlilio.

The new mobile service will be marketed under the Smart brand by PLDT Singapore. This will be similar to the 1528 Smart service launched in Hong Kong in 2004.

Nazareno said the company's market share in Hong Kong had gone up to 50 percent as of end-2005. "The service is already very strong there," he said. It has so far registered 25,000 users.

The service was launched in September 2004 in partnership with CSL. L. Lectura

Chikka Asia inks 'interconnection' deal with Google

Feb 16, 2006
Updated 03:27pm (Mla time)
Erwin Lemuel Oliva eoliva@inq7.net
INQ7.net

PHILIPPINE-based technology firm Chikka Asia Inc. will soon be part of a Google "federation" of instant messaging services that will be "interconnected" with Google Talk.

Christopher Sacca, head of special projects of Google Inc., revealed during the eServices Philippines conference in Manila that the company was already working on integrating Google Talk with Chikka's own mobile instant messaging service.

Chito Bustamante, chief operating officer of Chikka Asia Inc., confirmed the collaboration.

"Chikka Asia is the only company in the Philippines that is now part of the federation. It is an interconnection [deal] between Chikka and Google Talk. Google has created this federation of communities that will allow communication with other communities," Bustamante said.

Chikka Asia Inc. has about 30 million registered users, mostly Filipinos sending instant messages from their phones to PCs and vice versa.

Bustamente said that Google was primarily interested in Chikka Asia's technology, which has been patented.

"It is a good alignment between a strong company and a local one. We share the same vision of bringing together communities. Our technology should complement theirs, and right now there is an ongoing engagement in technical aspects of interconnection," Bustamante added.

The Chikka Asia executive said that the deal between the two companies was consummated a few months ago.

He said that the deal involved no investments, but both companies are expected to share technology and intellectual property as they go about with the interconnection deal.

"We're not thinking about being bought yet. But the first engagement with us was related to our technology. Unlike Yahoo that buys communities, Google buys technologies and the people behind the technology," Bustamante said.

Sacca said that Google is always in search of firms that have compelling technology that people would like to use.

China warns OFWs against illegal recruiters

Manila Standard Today
Feb 26, 2006

China warns OFWs against illegal recruiters

Jobseekers, beware. There are no openings for high-paying jobs in China.

Chargé d’affaires Corazon Belmonte Jover said the People’s Republic of China has been tracking down foreign illegal recruiters who have been promising nonexistent jobs in exchange for a fat fee. Among the victims are a few Filipinos who were incarcerated for staying illegally or beyond their visa validity.

Jover said the PROC is advising Filipino jobseekers to be particularly wary of job offers on the Internet.

As to the hiring of foreign English teachers, the Philippine embassy pointed out that not all schools in China are authorized by the government to do so.

Jover said most of the cases of contract breaches and illegal recruitment involve unauthorized schools and fly-by-night recruitment agencies that hire Filipino teachers via the Internet or over the phone.

“It is necessary to check the background of prospective employers, and try to contact other teachers already stationed in China, if any,” Jober said.

To work legally in China, a foreigner has to have a working “Z” visa. He/she must also have signed a valid employment contract with a recognized Chinese company before applying for a working visa.

On the other hand, business “F” visa holders could not work in China, as they are for foreigners traveling temporarily to China for business purposes, not full-time employment.

Jover explained that tourist “L” visas cannot be converted into working “Z” or business “F” visas except in meritorious cases.

Holders of “L” and “F” visas who insist on working in China have little protection from abuse or mistreatment, with or without employment contracts.

Filipinos are strongly advised to sign employment contracts while still holding tourists or business visas, Jover added Ferdinand Fabella

Overseas workers' remittances hit all-time high of $10.7B

this story was taken from www.inq7money.net

Overseas workers' remittances hit all-time high of $10.7B
Posted: 1:55 AM Feb. 16, 2006
Doris C. Dumlao
Inquirer

MONEY remittances of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) coursed through commercial banks continued to post double-digit growth in December, bringing total remittances for 2005 to $10.7 billion, up 25 percent from 2004, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP, the central bank) reported Wednesday.

It was the first time that OFW inflows breached the $10-billion mark, equivalent to about half of the central bank's international reserves.

In 2004, OFW remittances sent through the banking system amounted to $8.6 billion, up from $7.6 billion in 2003 and $6.9 billion in 2002.

In December-- a peak period for OFW remittances, given needs for Christmas spending -- cash transfers amounted to $967 million, up 10.7 percent from a year earlier, the BSP reported.

Including inflows coursed through non-bank channels -- including OFWs' friends and other travelers -- OFW remittances last year were estimated at $12.3 billion.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) showed newly hired and rehired OFWs last year numbered 981,677, up 5.2 percent from 2004.

Land-based OFWs increased 4.2 percent to 733,970 and sea-based workers increased 8.2 percent to 247,707. the data showed.

The government, in cooperation with the private sector, conducts marketing missions to promote OFW deployment and identify employment opportunities for Filipino workers. It has programs that include pre-departure training, computer literacy, seafarers' training in strict compliance with international maritime standards.

Deployment of highly skilled and therefore higher-paid Filipino workers, including engineers, teachers, and nurses and other medical workers, also contributed to the high level of OFW money remittances in 2005.

Banks have opened more remittance centers and established tie-ups abroad. They have introduced enhanced means of cash transfers to reach out to a wider range of Filipinos working overseas.

The bulk of OFW money remittances come from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

Families of OFWs use the money for education, health, and small businesses. With INQ7.net

OFW remittances hit record USD10.7 B in 2005

Manila Bulletin
Feb 16, 2006

OFW remittances hit record USD10.7 B in 2005

Money sent home by millions of Filipinos working abroad hit a record high of USD10.7 billion last year, giving strength to the peso, making government debt payments cheaper and stimulating spending by consumers.

Pushed from the Philippines by poverty and lack of opportunities, around 10 percent of the country’s 85 million people work abroad, often as nurses, nannies, sailors, laborers, musicians and engineers.

Their official remittances, sent through banks and other formal channels, rose 25 percent in 2005 from the previous year, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas said on Wednesday.

The bulk of the money came from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

"It will continue to grow because of the demand for nurses and caregivers," said the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas deputy governor, Diwa Guinigundo. "It may not be replicated, since it is already at its peak, but it will still be in double digits."

In December, when Christmas spending accelerates, remittances grew 10.7 percent to USD962 million from the same month of 2004.

At USD10.7 billion, last year’s remittances were equivalent to around 10 percent of Philippine gross domestic product and nearly 9.5 percent of gross national product, at current prices.

But the total could be at least 20 percent higher if cash sent home with relatives and friends was included, officials have said.

The money breathes life into the economy by fuelling consumer spending that accounts for 70 percent of GDP. It also helps shield the Philippines from the full effects of weak exports and agricultural output.

Last year’s flood of remittances helped make the peso Asia’s best-performing currency in 2005 with gains of more than 6 percent.

The stronger peso makes imports cheaper and eases the burden of the government’s nearly USD76 billion in debt.

But it makes Philippine exports more expensive and stings overseas workers by giving them less bang for their buck now, at about P51.50 to the dollar, than when the currency was around P56 in mid-2005 and P53.09 at the end of last year.

Although the economy grew 5.1 percent last year and the government expects it to be supported by improved revenues this year, Filipinos continue to emigrate in droves.

Preliminary data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration showed the number of newly hired and rehired overseas Filipino workers grew 5.2 percent last year from 2004.

The exodus of educated people is depriving the nation of some of its brightest and best, particularly in the health sector, where some doctors retrain as nurses to get work abroad.

The promise of remittances — money for better food, shelter, education and opportunities — can carry the social cost of fractured families, with one or both parents absent and children drifting into truancy and drugs while being raised by relatives.

For those who do leave, the situation abroad can be grim, especially for large numbers of women working as maids, nurses and entertainers.

Philippine newspapers frequently report on working conditions in other countries that border on slavery and sexual abuse of female workers. (Reuters)

Remittances reached record $10.7b in ’05 — BSP

Manila Standard Today
Feb 16, 2006

Remittances reached record $10.7b in ’05 — BSP

By Eileen A. Mencias

Remittances sent by Filipinos working abroad totaled $10.7 billion last year, up 25 percent from $8.55 billion in 2004, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas reported yesterday.

Remittances in December alone rose 10.7 percent to $962 million from $869 million reported a year ago.

“The sustained rise in the level of remittances for 2005 was largely due to the increase in the number of Filipinos working abroad,” the BSP said, adding the deployment of more highly-skilled workers earning more also contributed.

Bulk of the remittances come from the United States, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, Britain, the United Arab Emirates and Singapore.

Remittances coursed through formal channels this year are expected to reach $11.7 billion.

BSP Deputy Gov. Armando Suratos attributed the increase in remittances to the higher number of Filipinos working abroad.

Citing data from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), the BSP said the number of Filipinos who found jobs overseas grew 5.2 percent last year to 981,677.

Filipinos employed in land-based jobs abroad totaled 733,970 last year, 4.2 percent more than a year ago, while those in sea-based jobs hit 247,707, up 8.2 percent.

The BSP said continued demand for Filipino labor and missions of government and the private sector to promote Filipino workers and efforts to identify employment opportunities contributed to higher remittances.

Programs such as predeparture training and computer literacy training also helped improve the demand for Filipino labor.

The BSP said more highly skilled Filipinos were leaving the country to get jobs as engineers, teachers, nurses and medical workers.

Citibank officials said Filipinos in the US are among the higher-paid minority groups, with a per capital income of $70,000 to $80,000, about double the average per capital income there. Some 85 percent of the Filipinos in the US send money back home at an average transaction of $600.

Citibank earlier said it hoped to get more business from Filipino migrant workers in the US with a flat rate $8 charge for remittance service.

The remittance business is a major money maker for banks. Even state-run banks Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) are improving their remittance service to get a bigger share of the market.

DBP plans to put up remittance centers in Hong Kong, Singapore, Milan and the US’ West Coast. LBP, on the other hand, has centers in the US and plans to set up in Europe, Abu Dhabi, Singapore and Taiwan.

Filipino papers thrive in Canada

Filipino papers thrive in Canada
LIVING IN CANADA By Mel Tobias
The Philippine Star 02/26/2006

The progressive Peryodiko Radical Philippine newspaper published in Scarborough, Ontario now has a Durham Region edition. The Region of Durham is situated in the centre of Ontario known as the Golden Horsehoe that stretches from Oshawa to Niagara Falls. Durham lies immediately to the east of the City of Toronto and encompasses an area of approximately 1,000 square miles.

In the region is the municipality of Ajax which is now one of the fastest growing areas of Ontario while the Brock Township is becoming popular for its expanding artistic community. The town of Whitby is near Lake Ontario which makes it the fastest growing oldtimers in the Region of Durham. There are many Filipino oldtimers here and the new immigrants are increasing yearly which prompted the newspaper to branch out to the region. Peryodiko Radical is the first Filipino multicultural newspaper in Durham, published by Rodel Garcia and Anna Pineda. Filipinesca Canadiana Social Club Inc. is the leading Filipino association there.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Philippine Asian Chronicle, published by Bodeng and Erly Juatco already branched out in Calgary and Edmonton. The Philippine News Today, published by Rey Fortaleza took another route by having a San Francisco, California edition. And this coming spring, Reyfort Publication is set to launch the publication of a new entertainment bi-monthly tabloid newspaper.

Here’s a bit of information for those taking the popular sleep aid Supplement Melatonin. According to the latest study from the University of Alberta, there is no evidence that Melatonin had an effect on sleep onset latency, which is the time between lying down to sleep and the onset of sleep.

Melatonin is the hormone from the brain’s pineal gland which regulates sleep cycles. Melatonin levels in the bloodstream is generally up in the evening and then drop back in the morning.

Melatonin supplements, which come from the pineal glands of cattle, have become very popular with people struggling with insomnia or lack of sleep from medical problems.

The Simon Fraser University’s report on Canada’s and British Columbia’s baby boomers, submitted to the Canadian Heart and Stroke Foundation was quite alarming.

The report stated that the country’s baby boom generation (born between 1945 and 1964) is fatter and more sedentary than ever. Rampant obesity rates and inactivity are sending a wave of aging boomers on a "downward spiral" threatening years of progress toward better heart health.

It said that one-thirds of deaths in Canada are caused by heart disease and stroke. And that about 1.3 million people, or 21 percent of baby boomers aged 45 to 49, have already been diagnosed with heart disease, stroke or high blood pressure. More than 40 percent of Canadians in their 60s have cardiovascular disease.

The positive note in the report is that smoking rates decreased significantly. About 21 percent were regular or daily smokers which used to be 29 percent a decade ago.

According to Human Resources Skills Development Canada, by the year 2011, nearly 100 percent of Canada’s labor force growth will be from immigrants, many from Southeast Asia, many from the Philippines. Some community leaders are advocating reforms and ways to equip immigrants in order to succeed in Canada, such as:

• Improve programs to enhance English Skills of new immigrants.

• Start a clearing division or office to recognize, facilitate and validate credentials.

• Educate the business community about immigrants and diversity in the workplace.

• Develop special programs to help immigrants to know and learn how to adapt to subtle Canadian ways through cross-cultural awareness classes and mentors.

The concept of mentorship is currently being implemented by the Multicultural Helping House in Vancouver with their Bamboo Networking mentoring service. MHHS was started by the much-loved and respected community leader Tatay "Tom" Avendano, a Filipino oldtimer in British Columbia.

Ms. Eleanor Guerrero-Campbell is currently the executive director of MHHS. The Bamboo Network has been providing mentors to skilled immigrants to help them get work in their field since 2001.

Better use of remittances eyed

Business Mirror
Feb 27, 2006

Better use of remittances eyed

REGULATORS support latest efforts to try and make more forceful use of the remittances of overseas Filipino workers.

The Dutch financial group ING had suggested mobilizing part of the earnings of OFWs by selling them as mutual funds as part of continuing efforts to harness the economic firepower of their combined remittances.

Senior monetary officials have evaluated the ideas presented by the local unit of ING Bank and found them worth looking into.

"The Dutch bank had suggested mobilizing the savings of our OFWs through mutual funds.

"They plan to make use of Philippine banks with branches abroad that also handle OFW remittances," the senior official said.

Citing the ING proposal, the senior official said the likely candidates include the Philippine National Bank, Equitable PCI Bank as well as the Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co. or Metrobank.

50 Filipinos jailed in Saudi, 14 in Kuwait set for release

Mar 03, 2006
Updated 04:54pm (Mla time)
Veronica Uy
INQ7.net

THE Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is set to release 50 mostly women overseas Filipino workers as Kuwait pardoned 14 OFWs in jail for “love crimes.”

Labor Secretary Patricia Sto. Tomas said the oil-rich kingdom decided to release the 50 Filipinos jailed for minor offenses as part of the celebration the International Women’s Month this March. Saudi Prince Salman Ibn Abdul Aziz, governor of the Riyadh Region, made the goodwill gesture in response to President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's request for clemency, Sto. Tomas told reporters Friday.

Their release would cut down the number of jailed OFWs in Saudi to 350, she said, adding that the 50 Filipinos are facing three- to 12-month jail terms for minor offenses like making wine, which is forbidden in the Muslim country.

At the same time, Sto. Tomas said the Kuwaiti government has pardoned 14 Filipinos jailed for “love crimes." Social norms governing relationships are strictly observed in the Muslim country. “They will come home before the end of the month,” she said, adding that President Arroyo would provide them with microfinance loans “so that they don’t have to leave again.”